Different Methods for Showing PDF Files with SiteCaster

The default method for showing PDF files with SiteCaster is the "linked document (pop-up)" method. This is available as a basic property of standard elements, e.g. an image. Once you click the element a closable pop-up opens, that shows the PDF. Note that on Android devices a PDF file will be opened full screen and not as a pop-up.

For example you could create a new image element for a content layer.

Then you would edit the linked document (pop-up) property and assign a PDF file.

Another method is to use the webpage element to display a PDF file. The PDF file can be located on the Internet or locally on the machine.

If the file is stored locally and you are using the file:// protocol, it is recommended to put the file into the html subfolder of your SiteKiosk installation folder, e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\SiteKiosk\Html. Otherwise make sure that the location is accessible by changing the SiteKiosk surfing area settings.

When using the webpage element you can set the size properties to show the PDF full screen (again, note that the linked element option will already have this effect on Android devices). You can also use the parameters specified by Adobe to control the display of the PDF element. Just attach them to the URL as described in the Adobe document.

If you are using the webpage element, please keep in mind, that the PDF files will not be included when the content is distributed to the clients. The files must exist at the specified location for the client to be able to show them. For local files one option is to use the file synchronization of SiteRemote. The disadvantage to that is that you have to use both SiteCaster and file synchronization. The other option for local files is to use a little 4-step trick that enables you to only use SiteCaster to distribute the PDF files, even though you are using the webpage element.

1. Create an element with a linked PDF document as usual (see above).

2. Use the preview of the SiteCaster CMS editor, to note which internal file name is used in SiteCaster for the pdf. With Firefox use the download button at the top bar to get the download dialog with the file name, with Chrome just do a right mouse click on the PDF Display and then choose "Save as…".



3. Go back to the SiteCaster CMS Editor and set the element with the linked document to "Do not display (only visible in editor)" in the "Display conditions" settings of that element. This will essentially hide the original PDF file.


4. Now create a webpage element and add the following URL with the internal file name of the PDF identified in step 2:
http://localhost:8889/files/[internalfilename].pdf (e.g. http://localhost:8889/files/5c38667034427b1417f3229f_5c38667034427b1417f322a0.pdf)

That's it, now the PDF is distributed as SiteCaster content to the client and you can use the webpage element features like making the file full screen and using parameters to control how the PDF file is displayed.